8 PLAYOFF/TOURNAMENT EXCEPTIONS

.1 Participation

.1 TEAM DROPPING OUT OF TOURNAMENTShould a team withdraw at the conclusion of the regular season, during Round Robin playoffs or just before/during the end of season tournament, for reasons not brought to the attention of the executive, they may be subject to disciplinary procedures.

.2 Diamond Setup

.1 BOTH TEAMSAll team representatives should ensure that the diamonds are clearly and completely marked out as required in the field setup section [See section 5.2] to help avoid unnecessary disputes.

.3 Line-up Changes

.1 ADDING PLAYERSPlayers cannot be added to the lineup after the entire line-up has been cycled through and the first batter has started their second at bat. .2 REMOVING PLAYERSPlayers cannot be removed from the line-up after they have had their first at bat. Players leaving before the end of that game will be counted as an out in the line-up. Players leaving due to injury are exempted from this rule.

.4 Tie Games

.1 ROUND ROBINRound robin games that end in a tie will remain a tie. These are not directly elimination games, so each game does not need a winner..2 BRACKET PLAYSemi-final and final round games will be nine (9) innings, to be played within a scheduled two-hour time slot. If a semi-final or final round game is tied after nine innings (or at the end of the scheduled time), extra innings will be played to break the tie. All extra innings will be played as unlimited runs.

.5 Appealing a Play

.1 APPEAL GUIDELINESThe appeal process only applies during playoff games. Any appeals should relate to a clear dispute of the rules by both teams, and not simply a dispute over a judgement call by the umpire (i.e. – a player missing a base is a valid reason for an appeal; a player who is called safe on a close play is not a valid reason for an appeal)..2 PITCHERS PLAYTo appeal a play, the ball must first go back to the pitcher. The pitcher must then throw the ball to the base being appealed and the player at that base must catch the ball and then touch the base. The umpire will then make the call on the appealed play..3 FURTHER APPEALSIf the teams cannot come to an agreement with the umpire’s decision, the game must finish under protest. After the game has finished, an official appeal must be made to the executive for a ruling. The executive may consult the two team representatives and the umpire, and any decision made by the executive is final and binding.